News Jurgen Boyny
News Jurgen Boyny speaking at the IFA Innovations Media Briefing 2014 IFA – Perfect Timing for Turnaround GfK forecasts 5% industry growth in 2015. IFA is positioned to help industry leaders set their roadmaps While the past few years have seen IFA as the pillar in rather turbulent economic times, GfK Retail and Technology is forecasting a strong turnaround in the coming months. At the recent IFA Global Press Conference (GPC) in Belek, Turkey, the largest of its kind ever held, Jürgen Boyny, Global Director Consumer Electronics, at GfK said: “Following stagnation in 2013 there will be a return to growth on the global consumer electronics markets in 2014 (+1%) and 2015 (+5%). This is due to the improving world economic situation as well as to an increase in sales in the TV and PC sectors. This growth will mainly come from the Middle East and Africa and South America and the emerging markets of Asia. Europe will only make a minor contribution to growth, while the markets in North America and the developed nations of Asia will experience declines.” Klaus Wührl, Deputy Chairman of the ZVEI Household Appliances added, “In 2013 the markets for domestic appliances expanded by between one and more than 5%, according to continent. This process will continue in 2014. The markets with the greatest expansion are those of North America (> 5%), followed by Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (between 1 and 5%). Small domestic appliances are also registering growth in almost all regions, at rates of between one and, at the maximum, more than 15%.” IFA 2014: EXHIBITOR DEMAND CONTINUES TO GROW IFA’s organisers, gfu and Messe Berlin, say they are confident that they will be able to continue steering IFA on a course leading to increased growth. The success is, they say, not only attributed to an increasing number of product innovations, but also to the way that the markets are developing. “For all its participants, from the industry, trade, consumers and the media, IFA is the most important market place for preparing for the Christmas season, when sales are at their highest. This event will again provide the markets with an effective impetus. With a new congress and its traditionally large number of new products on display, along with innovative solutions and unique new products making their world debut, IFA 2014 is again setting new standards”, according to Hans-Joachim Kamp, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of gfu – Gesellschaft für Unterhaltungs- und Kommunikationselektronik. CITYCUBE BERLIN PRESENTS NEW POSSIBILITIES Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin says CityCube Berlin was sorely needed: “We are eagerly awaiting IFA 2014, where for the first time we can offer an increased area in response to the continuing high level of demand from exhibitors. With the CityCube Berlin we have not only gained 6,000 sq m of urgently needed display space, but it also creates new opportunities for meeting exhibitors’ additional requirements.” IFA+ SUMMIT Messe Berlin is planning a new concept for the IFA Congress in 2014. A modern international congress entitled IFA+ Summit brings together the leading minds and top executives from the fields of technology and content. In addition to addressing current issues, this event will also provide opportunities for discussion about the digital future as well as establishing new trends and encouraging new ideas. Göke continued by saying: “Just as we have pursued the long-term, ongoing development of IFA, we also want to continuously expand the IFA+ Summit, making it a leading worldwide forum.” www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Monday 1 st September 2014 11
